Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada AI policy

For applicants

• You may use generative AI to draft or summarise sections of your application, or to translate parts of it, but you must verify and take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness and relevance of all AI-generated content.[1]
• There is no requirement to disclose generative AI use. If AI surfaces specific works or sources that significantly inform your application, acknowledge and reference those original sources.[1]
• You are responsible for making sure everything in the application is true, accurate and complete, and that all sources are real and properly referenced.[2]
• AI tools may not protect the privacy of your material. Do not assume co-applicants or partners are comfortable with you uploading information about them.[1]

For reviewers

• Reviewers are strictly prohibited from using publicly available, online, or institutionally procured and deployed generative AI tools to review funding applications.[2]
• Reviewers must not upload applicant material into online generative AI tools, even just to translate it.[1]
• Reviewers must not upload sections of their own reviews into online or institutionally deployed AI tools, even without application material, because their assessments, notes and feedback are treated as confidential.[1]

Sources

1. [1]

   Frequently Asked Questions: Use of artificial intelligence in the development and review of research funding applications

   CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC and CFI (Government of Canada, science.gc.ca), October 30, 2026

   “Yes. However, you should be aware that a generative AI tool may not protect the privacy of your application material, and you must fully verify and take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, and relevance of all application content generated by AI.”

   “No, there is no requirement for applicants to disclose the use of generative AI in their applications.”

   “However, if generative AI identifies or surfaces specific works or sources that significantly inform the content of your application, you should acknowledge and appropriately reference those original sources.”

   “You should not assume that any co-applicants, collaborators or research partners are comfortable with the uploading of information related to them or their organizations.”

   “Reviewers must not upload applicant material into online generative AI tools, even for the sole purpose of translating application material.”

   “Reviewers are required to treat all application materials, including their assessments, notes and feedback, as confidential and protected information within the peer review process.”

   “Can I use generative AI tools to draft or summarize sections of my application?”

   “Is it appropriate to use generative AI tools to translate parts of my application (e.g., from French to English)? Yes, this is acceptable, particularly to improve clarity.”

   “Can I upload sections of my review into online or institutionally deployed generative AI tools, despite not uploading any application material? No.”

   “Uploading such information into an online or institutionally deployed generative AI tool may result in the unauthorized disclosure of confidential or proprietary information”

2. [2]

   Guidance on the use of Artificial Intelligence in the development and review of research funding applications

   CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC and CFI (Government of Canada, science.gc.ca), October 30, 2026

   “In accordance with existing agency policies, applicants are responsible for ensuring that information included in their funding applications is true, accurate and complete and that all sources are real, appropriately acknowledged and referenced.”

   “Therefore, the use of publicly available, online, or institutionally procured and deployed generative AI tools for reviewing funding applications is strictly prohibited.”